The Seahawks selected Nehemiah Pritchett, a cornerback out of Auburn, with pick No. 136 overall in the 5th round.
Pritchett, a four-year starter for the Tigers, brings playmaking and speed—he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine—to a secondary already featuring a lot of both traits.
"I'm a really smart corner," he said when asked to describe his game. "A really long, fast corner that can play in any type of scheme. I think I'm really good at press (coverage). I'm versatile. I can play inside and outside. I think that's the best way I can describe it."
In his four seasons as a starter, Pritchett recorded 24 passes defensed, including team-leading totals of 10 in 2020 and eight in 2022, as well as three interceptions, 111 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. And despite being known for his speed, Pritchett also takes pride in being a physical cornerback.
"I think I'm really intense when it comes to hitting," he said. "I'm not going to shy away from contact. You can turn on the film and you can see I'm super aggressive. Most of the time, I just try to come up with a body part at corner."
"Long, slender outside corner who might have improved enough in off-man coverage for consideration in most coverage schemes. Pritchett has the length to stall the release and be a route bully underneath.
"He's fairly comfortable from press and will hug up on double moves and comebacks, using his length to impact throwing windows. He might need safety help over the top, as he can be a little sluggish to flip and sprint deep from his pedal, and his lateral transitions are average, allowing small separations at lateral break points.
"His size and length will be appealing on Day 2 of the draft, but he needs to become a more consistent tackler in run support to find consistent starting reps."
The Seahawks selected Auburn CB Nehemiah Pritchett with the 136th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the best photos of the 5th rounder from his college playing days.
Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (18) breaks up a pass intended for Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (1) during the second half of the Birmingham Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn's Nehemiah Pritchett (18) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Auburn's Nehemiah Pritchett (18) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Mississippi State wide receiver Rara Thomas (0) holds on to a 22-yard touchdown pass while Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (18) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Texas A&M running back Le'Veon Moss (8) dives past Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (1) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Mississippi running back Quinshon Judkins (4) is tackled by Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (1) as he carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill )
Mississippi State running back Seth Davis (23) is tackled by Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (1) as he carries the ball during the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (1) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (1) breaks up a pass intended for Vanderbilt wide receiver Junior Sherrill (85) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett celebrates the teams win against Vanderbilt after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
American defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett of Auburn (1) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett catches a pass during Auburn's NLF football pro day Friday, March 22, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
